Hydrogen () combustion and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can potentially reduce aviation-produced greenhouse gas emissions compared to kerosene propulsion. This paper outlines a methodology for evaluating performance and emission tradeoffs when retrofitting conventional kerosene-powered aircraft with lower-emission combustion and SOFC hybrid alternatives. The proposed framework presents a constant-range approach for designing liquid hydrogen fuel tanks, considering insulation, sizing, center of gravity, and power constraints. A lifecycle assessment evaluates greenhouse gas emissions and contrail formation effects for carbon footprint mitigation, while a cost analysis examines retrofit implementation consequences. A Cessna Citation 560XLS+ case study shows a 5% mass decrease for combustion and a 0.4% mass decrease for the SOFC hybrid, at the tradeoff of removing three passengers. The lifecycle analysis of green hydrogen in aviation reveals a significant reduction in emissions for combustion and SOFC systems, except for natural-gas-produced combustion, when compared to Jet-A fuel. However, this environmental benefit is contrasted by an increase in fuel cost per passenger-km for green combustion and a rise for natural-gas-produced SOFC compared to kerosene. The results suggest that retrofitting aircraft with alternative fuels could lower carbon emissions, noting the economic and passenger capacity tradeoffs.
Methodology for Assessing Retrofitted Hydrogen Combustion and Fuel Cell Aircraft Environmental Impacts
2024-04-03
16 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch